A successful two-day media engagement/training workshop organized by Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), a USAID-funded program, Mercy Corps, in collaboration with ARDA, the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) held at Crispan Hotel, Jos. 25th to 26th July, 2023. The event was aimed to enhance conflict sensitivity and reporting among media practitioners in Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole
The Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA) to the Governor, Gyang Bere, along with the Acting Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Timothy Gayi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Gakji Shipi (Rtd), expressed their appreciation for the media’s crucial role in crisis situations. They acknowledged the significance of the meeting, which they considered timely and relevant, as it would provide Media Experts with guidance on reporting objectively and prioritizing the national interest over any personal biases. In their separate statements:
Taye, the CIPP Program Manager, explained that the project’s primary objective is to build community resilience and contribute to lasting peace. He emphasized the importance of effective and reliable communication in achieving a stable nation. The project is currently active in some communities in Bassa, Barikin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs in Plateau State, and they are dedicated to fulfilling their mandate of fostering an enabling environment for peace in Nigeria.
During the training, Godwin Okoko, the Conflict Technical Adviser, and Mercy Corpa, a Facilitator, focused on “Conflict Sensitivity and Do No Harm.” They urged Media Experts to ensure that the stories they report contribute to building rather than destroying communities.
During the intensive two-day program, media practitioners gained a deeper understanding of conflict dynamics and its impact on peacebuilding and democratic practices. The primary objective was to equip them with the necessary skills and awareness to promote objective, peaceful reporting devoid of exacerbating conflicts.
The training extensively covered various aspects of conflict reporting, such as conflict analysis tools, gender-inclusive reporting, and strategies for conflict-sensitive journalism. Through interactive sessions, storytelling, and syndicate group discussions, participants were engaged in role-play simulations, enhancing their ability to contribute to community structures of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and social cohesion.
One of the workshop’s highlights was the sharing of invaluable experiences by the Kaduna Network of journalists, adding a practical dimension to the training.
As a result of this comprehensive training, we anticipate a cohort of media practitioners committed to fostering peace through responsible reporting. To ensure continuity and knowledge dissemination, action plans were developed,
The success of this media workshop marks a significant step towards achieving “increased linkages and collaboration among conflicting/vulnerable communities with government agencies, CSOs, and local leaders to address and respond to root causes of conflict,” as envisioned by the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) program.
